Unsettled newborn

[GreenEyedGirl01]

Hi all

I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with my newborn. He’s 15 days old and when he’s awake and between feeds (breastfeeding, although trying to introduce a bit of formula) I have no idea what to do with him.

He’s colicky or suffering from reflux and I feel awful for his dad that he only gets to see him in screaming mode when he gets in from work, when he seems to be the most uncomfortable. We have him on infacol and I’ve currently got him upright in the ergo baby carrier as I walk around the dining room. Any other tips? GP and health visitor reluctant to do anything further at this stage.

He feeds to sleep (except when he doesn’t, generally during the colicky evenings) and I struggle to settle him in his Snuzpod or Moses basket, although he likes his bouncy chair. As a result we’re reluctantly co-sleeping.

He sleeps most of the day currently, until around 4pm when the unsettledness starts, and carries on until we try and get him down for bed when we go, generally around 10pm.

Does this all sound normal?! I feel so out of my depth!! Are there any books or anything i should be reading to help me understand him better?

[JJPP1234]

It does sound normal. It sounds like you're doing all the right things to help him (keeping him upright in a sling etc)
It'll be much better in a few months

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

Read up on the fourth trimester. If there's no issue with weight gain then it all sounds very normal to me! It'll pass. Safe cosleeping and everybody getting as much rest as possible are absolutely essential IME.

[Microwaved111]

Totally normal. Just hang on in there and keep doing what your doing. It will pass.

For me the newborn stage was awful (dd colicy and reflux) and it felt like it would never end, but it did and here I am with my 7mo with a whole new set of challenges!

The main thing I've learnt is make sure that you take care of yourself, get rest when you can, eat when you need to. Baby needs you while it's tiny, make the most of it. My 7mo won't cuddle with me anymore and I really miss it!

[GreenEyedGirl01]

Thank you all. I think I’m struggling with all the unknowns!

He’s previously been pretty settled in the daytime and is normally pretty good overnight, going three / four hours between wake ups, feeding to sleep while side lying.

Last night was awful, up every hour and a half, long feeds, not going back off to sleep, being incredibly fussy at the breast particularly when side lying. This morning he’s still very unhappy - he’s gone off to sleep but is pulling his knees up, arching his back and grunting while asleep. I just want to help him!!

[Microwaved111]

First baby is such a learning curve! I remember bringing dd home and thinking 'i have no idea what I'm doing' but you adjust and learn as you go and you get through it. It's what mums do. Trust me you've got this

From what you say sounds like wind...try cycling legs and winding as much as possible. Tummy time all ways used to get wind out of my dd.

[Neeenaw]

Get the reflux sorted properly.. if he's bad he needs to be on medication to help him. It'll be a game changer.

You're doing a great job. X